Park News
There are two items of news. The first is that Pima County Flood Control is going to extend the linear park north from Grant Road. It will provide the link from the hotels at I-10 and Grant. The article was in a May issue of the Tucson Citizen. As a way to provide bike routes across town Pima County Flood Control is going to link the Santa Cruz linear parks to the Rillitto linear parks. These parks run the entire length east/west of Tucson all the way out to Pantano. It is good planning on the part of the county.
The latest news is that El Rio/BAJA Fastpitch girls softball is interested in making the Juhan Park their home plate. They have started a push towards the development of the Juhan Park into a softball tournament site. It is refreshing to see new pressure on City Parks and Rec. to step to the plate. Development plans are in the works to build fields, bleachers, snack bar and install lighting. Three more fields are platted at the site and maybe a mix use of volleyball and basket ball. Of course, City funds are short because of the fizzling housing boom and dwindling new home impact fees. Other private sources are being looked into in order to get their project off the ground.
It has been almost twenty years since the donation of land to City Parks and Rec.--we finally have an interest in this park. It would nice to see teams playing and community activity. The city's projected estimate for just two lit fields, snack bar and bleachers is around $800k. I know the figure sounds high, but one must remember city codes, regulations, permits, planning studies, engineering, etc. El Rio/Baja Fastpitch is on a campaign drive to raise money from non profit organizations, city monies, Indian gambling monies, federal monies, etc., trying to speed up the process of development. Any input you may have is greatly appreciated. They have momentum and drive, just a funding shortage. As exciting as girls softball is in this college town we should be able to figure out a solution.
Please politely write Councilwoman Regina Romero and City Parks and Rec. to help apply pressure for development. We need your support. Also, check out their website: www.eteamz.com/elriobajafastpitch And if you feel compelled to make a contribution and support the organization: El Rio/BAJA Fastpitch, PO Box 87344, Tucson, AZ 85754-7344
This is exciting news! The west side of town would be greatly benefited by the use of a girls softball team and tournaments here. Extra lighting and community involvement is refreshing, providing a "mixed use." Putting Grant Road Industrial Center at the cutting edge of industrial parks and planning projects of any town in America. Once again we would be the standard of innovation providing the "cookie cutter" for future industrial parks across the nation.
See you at the game!
Sincerely,
President